Newly promoted sides Bodrumspor and Eyupspor will clash at Bodrum Ilce Stadi on Sunday, with both teams experiencing contrasting fortunes in their debut Turkish Super Lig campaigns.
While the hosts are battling to avoid relegation, the visitors are eyeing a spot in European competition in what has been an impressive season so far.
Match preview
© Imago
Bodrumspor secured their historic promotion to the Super Lig last season as the third and final team from the second division, defeating Sakaryaspor 3-1 in extra time in the play-off final on May 30, 2024.
However, life in the top flight has proven challenging for the Mugla-based side, who currently sit 16th in the table, four points adrift of safety after 19 matches.
Last weekend, Bodrum earned a hard-fought goalless draw against an in-form Gaziantep side, and manager Volkan Demirel will hope to build on that performance as they return home, aiming to extend their unbeaten streak at Bodrum Ilce Stadi to three games.
The hosts claimed a victory over Sivasspor and shared the spoils with Kayserispor in their last two home fixtures, creating a renewed atmosphere in front of their fans.
However, in their first-ever top-flight meeting with the visitors last August, Bodrum suffered a 4-1 defeat, while they also lost their most recent home encounter against the visitors, which came in the second division last season.
© Imago
Meanwhile, Eyupspor have exceeded expectations under manager Arda Turan, currently fifth in the table, and firmly in the hunt for a European spot, trailing fourth-placed Goztepe by just one point, while holding a slim two-point lead over sixth-placed Besiktas.
However, the visitors will be missing some key players for this clash, after losing star forward Ahmed Kutucu to Galatasaray and leading scorer Mame Thiam to suspension.
Eyupspor remain in excellent form regardless, unbeaten in their last five matches across all competitions, securing four wins and one draw, including a dominant 3-0 victory over Alanyaspor in their most recent league outing.
A win on Sunday would mark their fourth consecutive victory across all competitions, which will be their longest winning streak this season.
While Eyupspor have been inconsistent on the road, an emphatic 4-1 win over Antalyaspor in their last away game highlights the potential to secure results away from home.
- W
- L
- D
- D
- L
- D
- L
- W
- D
- W
- W
- W
Team News
© Imago
The hosts will be without midfielder Gokdeniz Bayrakdar, who is suspended due to an accumulation of yellow cards.
Injuries have also hit the squad, with Mustafa Erdilman, Suleyman Ozdamar, Haqi Osman and Tunahan Akpinar all ruled out.
Eyupspor will be missing several key players for this fixture, as Fredrik Midtsjo and Taskin Ilter remain sidelined with season-ending injuries.
Additionally, Thiam is suspended, and Kutucu has been sold to Galatasaray, which means Turan may deploy Emre Akbaba as a makeshift striker to compensate.
Other absentees include Recep Niyaz, Sinan Gumus, Leo Dubois and Samu Saiz, who are all injured, leaving the visitors with a significantly depleted squad.
Bodrumspor possible starting lineup:
Sousa; Bilsel, Aytemur, Ajeti, Sen; Antalyali, Mohammed; Okita, Kanyan, Dimitrov; Seferi
Eyupspor possible starting lineup:
Ozer; Vezo, Claro, Yalcin, Meras; Kabaskal, Bingol; Ampem, Mor, Akbunar; Akbaba
We say: Bodrumspor 1-1 Eyupspor
Injuries and suspensions could hinder Eyupspor's edge in this clash, while Bodrumspor, buoyed by recent home resilience, may pose a tough challenge despite their struggles this season.
A closely fought contest is expected, but we expect the visitors to have enough in their locker to earn a positive result here, which is why we are predicting a stalemate.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
